isolated aggression

[STeicher]

We rescued a boxer,ridgeback,pit bull mix last week from a shelter. He is 13 months old. He has been very sweet and affectionate to everyone that has come to the house.He rarely barks and is a good listener. I took him to the vet and he was fine around the vet and the other staff members except for two blonde haired ladies there.One approached him nicely and he lunged at her barking and showing his teeth. I walked him outside and he calmed down quickly and sat nicely in the waiting room until another blonde woman walked by at a distance and didn't even look at him. He lunged and barked at her too. When I walk him on the street he is fine with joggers passing by. Any suggestions?

[foxi7778]

Hi there, Were you told any of the background of your dog by the shelter you rescued him from?? It may be possible that your dog was mistreated by a blonde female at some point in his past...were there any other similarities between the two women..glasses, height, build?? If this is the case then you can understand why he reacted the way he did. The only thing I can think for you to try is to socialise your dog with as many different people as possible...especially blondes Get them to give him a treat and make a fuss of him once he is more sure of them so he realises they don't mean him any harm and behaving around them means he gets a nice reward. Best of luck

[STeicher]

I know that he lived with a man and the man's mother and a cat. The mother didn't want a dog in the house and that's why it went to the shelter. Maybe the mother was blonde. That's a good idea about socializing him with people maybe a blonde who can give him a treat,ofcourse while I have him on a good leash and collar. He's so gentle with everyone else including my 10 year old shih-tzu